Therapeutic Compression Garments

Abstract

A therapeutic compression apparatus includes a liner having a tubular body portion with a proximal opening for receiving a limb of a patient. The tubular body portion includes an inside region with an inside circumference that is sized to extend about and in contact with the limb. The inside circumference is substantially identical to a circumference of the limb at a respective area of contact. The tubular body portion includes an outside region having an outside circumference that varies from the inside circumference at respective cross-sections through the tubular body, such that a first function of a ratio of the difference between the inside circumference and the outside circumference at a respective cross-section through the tubular body, divided by the inside circumference at said respective cross-section, and a second function of the inside circumference at said respective cross-section determines, in part, a pressure exerted on the limb at said cross-section when compression is applied by said therapeutic compression apparatus.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 61 / 092,459, filed Aug. 28, 2008, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to apparatus, methods and systems for treating medical conditions by application of controlled compression to general and specific areas of a patient's body.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Excessive interstitial fluid accumulation, referred to as edema, may arise from a variety of illnesses and conditions, including venous valvular insufficiency, postphlebotic syndrome, and lymphedema. Compression apparatus method and systems control edema by reduction of interstitial fluids which increases nutrient delivery to tissues, removes waste from tissues, relieves pain from swelling, and decreases risk of infection. However, prior-art compression technologies have certain drawbacks as explained below.[0004]Wounds complicate the problem because traditional co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, an apparatus, method and system for facilitating therapeutic compression that form-fit well and do not loosen as edema reduces and do not require frequent readjustments, is presented.

[0025]In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, an apparatus, method and system for facilitating therapeutic compression that conform to patients having different anatomical morphologies, such as large bunions, metatarsal head protrusions, or accentuated ankle malleoli, which are predisposed to higher peak compression levels, without developing pressure necrosis to underlying skin or causing tissue breakdown, is presented.

[0029]In accordance with yet further aspects of the present invention, an apparatus, method and system for facilitating therapeutic compression to patients with wounds without restricting drainage of fluid from sores which may cause skin breaks, and / or ulcerations and without which may promote wound breakdown and risk of blood clot formation in the veins, is presented.

[0030]In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, an apparatus, method and system for facilitating therapeutic compression to areas of high flexion such as the elbow, knee and anterior ankle, by providing greater bending, better breathability and better protection from impinging garment structures during flexion, while protecting sensitive arteries, veins, and nerves that course along the posterior of the leg, is provided.

[0031]In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, an apparatus, method and system for facilitating therapeutic compression to patients who require custom garments or custom compression stockings with garment systems that are customizable at the point of sale by a durable medical equipment company, clinic, hospital on site, or even by the patients themselves so that the garment is immediately available with a correct fit, is provided.

Problems solved by technology

While useful in some applications, the Unna boot is subject to a number of limitations.

Therefore, controlled baseline compression is difficult to ascertain because there is no feedback to guide when appropriate compression levels are obtained.

Furthermore, as edema reduces, the boot loses compression and allows bandages to shift, possibly increasing drainage in the case of any wounds present.

A further limitation is that the rigid shell boot can cause pressure ulceration if it dries with too much pressure over bony prominences or other sensitive tissue areas.

Patients undergoing total contact cast therapy are commonly unable to feel when a rigid cast is not properly applied causing dangerous pressure points or when padding is insufficient, exposing the skin to the rough inner surface of the cast.

There are limitations to these type garments.

The garment does not form fit well as it is relatively nonelastic.

The garment loosens as edema reduces, and requires more frequent readjustments, and inelastic products do not function well over joints Finally, there is no intuitive way that a user can control the baseline or resting compression as there is no feedback from the garment.

The Coban 2 layer compression bandage system, however, sometimes does not provide adequate padding to certain problems areas, and extra padding must be used or tissue breakdown can result.

Although systems on the market exist which provide chipped foam either in channels or squares, none mix smooth foam for bony circumferences with the channeled and / or chipped foam liners.

These products are thick, and some patients complain they are hot and bulky to wear on a day in and day out basis.

These solutions are expensive, and are mainly used for treatment of lymphedema and fibrotic tissue caused by lipodermatosclerosis, for which many experts find these products useful.

Additionally, the excess bulk means that regular pants often cannot be worn over such garments, and if worn over a joint tend to restrict the motion in that joint.

Because of these limitations, such garments are typically worn at night and most patients do not use them for everyday use.

Other solutions include smooth foam liners, however, these also suffer from being very insulative and bulky, not to mention expensive because the foam is applied throughout the liner.

Otherwise the patient may be harmed by resulting circulation problems if the bandages are applied with too much tension.

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